The new terms have been shaken on and all that remains now is for the paperwork to be drawn up and both parties to sign their approval. However, it is unlikely an official statement will made before the player has to leave for Argentina.

The new terms will result in a significant increase in earnings for Messi. His fixed net salary will go up from €13 million to approximately €20 million, as well as receiving bonuses worth three million per season. These contractual improvements are retro-active and will be back-dated to include the season just about to end.

The duration of Messi’s contract remains unchanged however, which means the Argentine will play for the club until 2018. Neither was there any change to the buyout clause, which is still set at €250 million.

The most difficult part of the negotiations centered around Messi’s image rights. Initially, the club hoped to receive a share of this income, but the player was unwilling to accept such changes.

Nevertheless, Messi did agree to budge on two related issues. Firstly, he agreed to end his sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines, who had made an offer to renew the deal. And secondly, Barcelona can now use images of Messi on his own in those deals where he shares his image rights with the club.

Fitness coach Fernando Signorini, who formerly worked with the Argentina national team, has stated that Lionel Messi desperately needs a rest, otherwise he could suffer from burnout ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“Before, in the 60s and 70s, players would play 80-90 matches a year, but [Messi], the number one in the world, is playing over 120 if you count Barcelona and the national team”, he stated.

Sandro Rosell was fully aware that the signing of Neymar was a high-risk operation for two reasons. First, the high cost of the transfer, which was increasing every day before the interest of other big clubs, and also by the reaction that Messi could have in the presence of a competitor on the pitch.

The club has long assumed that economic investment was going to be very strong and wanted to know what he thought about the arrival of Neymar. After some friction with other strikers, Rosell was not willing that their history began on the wrong foot.

There was no place for it. Messi’s response was very positive and encouraged the club to hire the Brazilian. Leo is aware that both he and the team need another player who can score more goals. Not all the responsibility should lie with Messi. Continue reading Barca consulted Messi on signing Neymar→

Neymar landed in Barcelona at 13:00 and went to the offices of the club, where he posed with his newly club badge at the entrance of the ground. After passing a medical with no problems at the Hospital de Barcelona, ​​headed to the Sports City Sant Joan Despi to complete all medical tests.